WASHINGTON–Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that it has been awarded a subcontract
from Austal USA to produce aluminum tie downs for the Joint High-Speed
Vessel (JHSV). The 10 JHSV ships, slated for completion by 2015, will be
the U.S. military’s first aluminum catamaran fleet.
“We are excited to be working with Austal on this groundbreaking fleet,”
said David Dobson, president, Alcoa Defense. “Through our design and
engineering expertise, we are helping to expedite the manufacturing
process for the fleet while simultaneously making aluminum shipbuilding
more affordable.”
Designed to secure cargo, equipment and vehicles in the JHSV’s mission
bay, the all-aluminum tie downs are 50 percent lighter than conventional
steel tie downs. The tie downs will be manufactured from high-strength
aluminum by Alcoa’s facility in Auburn, Ind. By providing the finished
tie downs, Alcoa Defense helps Austal streamline the supply chain and
achieve its lean manufacturing goals.
“We are now applying decades of experience in creating subassemblies for
a variety of industries to build innovative, high-quality marine
structures,” said Scott R. Kerns, vice president and general manager,
Alcoa Transportation Products. “Alcoa makes it easier and more
affordable for shipyards to integrate aluminum structures in their
vessels.”
Collaboratively developed by Alcoa and Austal USA, the all-aluminum tie
downs were designed to replace traditional steel tie downs, which
require a more expensive, complex, labor-intensive process for joining
and installation. The aluminum tie downs offer the same structural
strength and performance as steel at a fraction of the weight and
installed cost. Additionally, the aluminum tie downs enhance the
long-term durability and structural integrity of the JHSV because,
unlike steel, they will not produce galvanic corrosion when attached to
the JHSV’s aluminum deck.
The announcement of the tie down subcontract follows Alcoa being awarded
the subcontract for sheet and plate and Austal’s recent keel laying for
Spearhead, the first JHSV. Keel laying, which historically meant the
laying down the central or main timber that established the backbone of
a vessel, is now the symbolic recognition of the start of the
shipbuilding process. Spearhead, a U.S. Army vessel, will be a 338-foot
aluminum catamaran capable of transporting troops and their equipment,
supporting humanitarian relief efforts, operating in shallow waters and
reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots when loaded to peak capacity.
Spearhead is the first of 10 JHSVs to be jointly operated by both the
U.S. Army and the Navy.
AUSA Annual Meeting attendees can learn more about the tie downs by
visiting Alcoa Defense at booth 4131.
About Alcoa Defense
Alcoa Defense partners with industry leaders to design systems and
materials that increase the speed, reach, agility and survivability of
military platforms. In addition to delivering lightweight, innovative
solutions in multiple product forms, Alcoa Defense manufactures
subassemblies, prototypes and complete aluminum structures that original
equipment manufacturers can integrate into their platforms for land, air
and sea. More information can be found at AlcoaDefense.com.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated
aluminum and alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum
industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the
aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the
past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building
systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as
titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive years and approximately
75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.